EAA Info
July 24-July 30, 2023
It's time for EAA. Work starts early July and the show opens on July 24. Check out the section on Summer Outdoor shows on the main IA470 website for what to expect.
Oshkosh, south side venues & Labor Hall
GES Check-in (1005 Schaick Ave.)
EAA grounds, Oshkosh
Map to Check-in and the Gold Lot (3799 Knapp St. Rd.)
Directions to EAA and to the Gold Lot
Official EAA Maps
You can try entering "1005 Schaick Ave, Oshkosh, WI" in your GPS. That should get you to the Bicycle Lot behind Hangars B and D. Otherwise, take Poberezny Rd (the east frontage road of Hwy 41) south past the EAA Museum to Waukau Ave. Go left around the corner (east) on Waukau Rd. to Forest Home Ave. Go right on Forest Home to Schaick Ave., then left on Schaick to the Bicycle lot.
Alternately, enter the following Plus Code address into the Search Bar of Google Maps (only): XCGP+P6 Oshkosh, Wisconsin
For the Gold lot, try GPS: 1399-1001 Ripple Rd., Oshkosh, WI
Alternately, enter this Plus Code address into Google Maps (only) XC8M+QV3 Oshkosh, Wisconsin
WORKER INFORMATION for EAA
- This year's job steward for EAA is:
Brian Clausen
Cell: 920-915-1779
- Wage schedule is slightly different from last year. See the Steward for details.
- Tools: Employees shall report to work with the personal tools necessary to perform the tasks required. As per the contract, any worker checking in without appropriate tools shall waive any rights to a minimum call time and may be sent home early. The minimum tool list includes:
- Hammer
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flat blade screw driver
- Adjustable (Crescent) wrench
- Utility knife
- Pair of Pliers.
The GES List of Additional Suggested Tools is:
- Pair of side cutters
- Loop pile cutter for carpet
- 3/8" drive ratchet w/ 5mm and 1/8" hex
- Arrow JT-21 staple gun
- Tape measure- 25 ft.
- Pry bar
- Gloves
- Equipment Operators must have a valid, current operator's card.
- Minimums: "A six (6) hour daily minimum guarantee shall apply on all days in which an employee reports to work and is put to work except for the days a show is open and operating, the first and/or last day of move in, the first and/or last day of move out, weather cancellations, or other conditions beyond the control of the employer. On those days in which the six (6) hour guarantee does not apply the minimum guarantee shall be four (4) hours."
This means on most days, GES will pay a six hour daily minimum. Please note this does NOT apply to ALL days! On certain days, the guaranteed minimum will be 4 hours.
- Labor for Vendors: GES needs to provide a consistent labor force to vendors. Vendors generally insist that GES provide the same people for the entire setup AND teardown of their booths. Some vendors have gone to other labor suppliers rather than GES to ensure they get the same labor force throughout. GES loses clients and WE lose work to other (non-union) competitors.
To address this, workers available for the entire event, for both the In AND the Out, will receive preference for placement with vendors, and will receive preferential placement on a call regardless of Union or Hiring Hall status. In other words, an New-hire/over-hire worker assigned to a vendor who is available for the entire in-and-out will, by contract, receive precedence for callbacks over a Journeyman not working for a vendor.
- Severe weather: we are working outside on an airfield. Weather happens. We want to ensure everyone's safety. For hazardous conditions such as lighting within 5 miles, extreme winds or tornadoes, workers should seek shelter. It will be up to the Steward and GES to decide whether workers are to leave the area or be reassigned to other work in a safer location, BUT safety is the first consideration. We and GES realize it may not be possible to communicate with "headquarters" when things get dicey. So, if you have a reasonable reason to fear for your safety you should try to make contact with the Steward. If you cannot, take cover in a protected area, a nearly hanger or other grounded structure, or even in a ditch. Use common sense and do not abuse the privilege. We expect you to protect yourself and to be professional.
- Pay Options: In addition to normal paper checks via snail mail (to the address on your W4), GES offers Direct Deposit for payroll. You can obtain a Direct Deposit Form from the Steward. You will also need a voided check with your account number and routing number printed on it.
- Attire: GES considers employees to be representing the employer and the client while on the job. As such, they require all employees to maintain a professional attitude and decorum at all times. A specific uniform is not required, but clothing must be professional and appropriate. Specifically, this means everyone must keep your shirt on. A light weight shirt or appropriate t-shirt is acceptable. This goes for ALL hands.
Be Aware:
- New Workers for GES must have valid Photo ID AND Social Security Card on first day of work. If you do not, you will NOT be put to work! This is Federal law! GES does not allow workers to begin working before all Federal employment paperwork is complete. They are very strict about this. Workers are sent home every year for not having I.D. Bring yours when you come the first time.
- Fill out new paperwork if you have had a change of address from last year.
- Wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
- Bring sunscreen and water - we will have water aavailable, but you will want a water bottle between water deliveries.
- You must sign in each day. Be early and arrive on time.
- Forklift drivers must have certification card with them when driving. ONLY those designated as a driver on a given day will be allowed to drive.
- Bring tools! The contract requires workers bring at least the MINIMUM tools to work. If you don't, you waive any rights to minimum call times. That means GES can send you home at any time (even immediately), paying only for time worked without regard to the negotiated minimums.
As to tools, at a minimum GES requires in the contract that all hands have with them:
- Hammer
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flat blade screw driver
- Crescent wrench
- Utility knife
- Pliers
The Employer on this show is GES Exposition Service, not the Local. You will need to have paperwork CURRENT with GES. They will NOT issue a paycheck without having your W-2 and I-9 on file first, and they regularly purge their files of inactive employees. If this is your first EAA, OR you didn't work EAA last year, bring along a photo ID (driver's license, etc.) and your Social Security Card for filling out an I-9. A current passport by itself will also do. You simply won't be allowed to work and you won't get paid if you do not have CURRENT payroll paperwork ON FILE WITH GES. If you didn't work for GES last year, then you are not current and must file new paperwork. BE PREPARED.
Check-in will be located pretty much where we were in the past, in Hanger D. If you have worked EAA before, you will be able to find us easily.
During Setup prior to Sunday immediately before the show opens, and during teardown Monday - Thursday after show week: Workers should report to the south side of Hanger D to check in each day. Get there early so you can be checked in. Otherwise your paycheck may be delayed. To get there: Take Hwy 41 to Oshkosh, exit Hwy 44 east to Knapp Street Rd. south to first right which is Poberezny Road. Follow past EAA Museum to Waukau Ave. (you can only go left). On the right hand side look for the EAA Bus Park tower and turn right on Forest Home Ave. Follow that to the parking lot located behind Hangers B and D.
Oshkosh, south side venues & Labor Hall
EAA grounds, Oshkosh
GPS: 1005 Schaick Ave. Oshkosh, WI
From the day before opening to closing Sunday of Show Week:
Parking will be available in the "Gold Lot". The Gold lot is located on Knapp Street Rd. between Ripple Rd. and Waupun Rd., on the West side of Knapp St. Rd. GES usually shuttles workers from the lot to GES headquarters BUT ONLY IF YOU ARE THERE ON TIME! It's a bit of a hike, so allow time to get to work ON TIME or you'll be hoofing it about a half mile, AND missing the "bus" MIGHT get you fined for being late! There is a map on how to get there at:
Map to the Gold Lot
GPS: 3799 Knapp St. Rd, Oshkosh WI
Several things to keep in mind about EAA.
- Once at the jobsite, you will be split into different departments (Deco, Freight, Booth work). You are expected to STAY where assigned. However, the GES supervisors CAN AND WILL move you to another job as the workload dictates. Please keep track of what time you are moved and report it when you check out. That is how GES bills customers, and if they can't charge customers properly, they can't pay you properly.
- Different departments may quit for the day at different times, depending on when their tasks are finished for that day. Workers are broke when their department breaks, regardless of work status or seniority. IF you carpool with someone assigned to another task, expect that one of you may have to wait for the other for awhile. Plan accordingly!
- You are hired FOR THE WHOLE DAY, and the day goes until you are "broke". Don't plan on leaving early, and plan on possibly being kept late. That's the gig!
- You MUST check in AND out each day. If the job steward cannot verify and record your hours on paper it is very difficult to see you are properly paid, or correct your pay later.
- BE WARNED that GES will cover injuries and accidents under Workers Comp. They WILL usually require a drug test after any serious incident. A positive test WILL result in dismissal from work for GES for an indeterminent time. It HAS happened, so don't do anything stupid that will give them grounds.
- IF you don't receive a paycheck on time or you think the amount may be incorrect, call the Job Steward, NOT the Business Agent, then GES at the number on the pay stub. Again, CALL the JOB STEWARD first, then GES!
- If you want to work NEXT year, call the Business Agent, NOT the Job Steward!
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